“Spirit-ed” Gifts For The Holidays!

Instead of asking everyone what’s on their wish list, or the simple and akward phrase “what do you want for the holidays?” It’s nice to show people you can think on your own and you thought about them, so give them a spirit inspired gift they’ll love!

The beauty of spirits as a gift is that you probably already know what they drink (if you’ve been out drinking with them) and if not all you have to do is ask them what they like to drink, which is an easy question that can come up in any conversation. On this list theres a spirit for everyone from Tequila to Bourbon to Whisky and Vodka as well as some unique ones for the mixologists we know and love. Spirits are a thoughtful gift that will make them think of you every time they drink it, and who knows… maybe they’ll share!

Whisky

Black Bottle: Blended Scotch Whisky by Gordon Graham who is actually an accomplished tea blender. This blended scotch whisky is made from four quality Scottish single-malts, and has aromas of toffee, butterscotch, tea, and coffee, with a golden amber tone. At 40% abv, it is notably full-bodied and quite complex for a blend, boasting rich chocolate, licorice and spicy notes with a gentle lingering smokiness. $20-25.

Crown Royal Regal Apple: This whisky smacks you in the face with apple and leaves you with a beautiful finish. I absolutely fall in love with this whisky every time I have it, whether in a hot toddy, mixed into a cider cocktail, and or infused into some caramel to top my cinnamon pancakes; this regal apple makes a fantastic gift! $21.99-41.99.

Crown Royal XR: This Whisky is in the extra rare whisky series and is made with unique blend that includes one of the final batches of whiskies from the renowned LaSalle distillery. Experience its intense and aromatic blend of dried fruits and honey in a with spicy notes of Canadian rye. A smooth finish of raisins, cocoa and brown sugar. $180-189.95.

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye: This rye combines the distinctive flavor of Canadian rye grain with the unmistakable smoothness of Crown Royal for a truly exceptional Canadian whisky. Also this one was just names Whisky of the Year by Jim Murray’s Annual Whisky Bible 2016!

George Dickel No. 12:One of my favorites from the Dickel collection, this 90 proof Tennessee Whisky is assertive with an incredibly smooth finish. Rich oak and vanilla flood the palate with nice spice and caramel notes as well. Drink this neat and enjoy! $39.99

Bowmore Small Batch Single Malt Scotch Whisky: This whisky is warm gold in color with vanilla and salty notes. This is the first Islay malt, and when you sip this, you are sipping citrus, salt and coconut! Absolutely beautiful and a great pairing with some cheese! $50.00.

Bowmore Devils Cask III:Deep mahogany in color with rich, dark and exotic fruit notes. Smooth and round taste of chocolate and caramel with striking vanilla notes. This one goes great with blue cheese and cranberries! $238.29.

Bowmore Mizunara Cask Finish: Only 2,000 bottles made, this scotch whisky is the first-ever Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky to be finished in precious, hand-crafted Japanese mizunara oak casks. The limited edition Bowmore Mizunara Cask Finish brings together two of the world’s most renowned whisky islands: Islay, Scotland and Japan to create a refined, elegant and complex single malt unlike any other before it. $1,000.00.

Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon: Bulleit Bourbon is medium amber in color, with gentle spiciness and sweet oak aromas. On the palate this bourbon is smooth with tones of maple, oak, and nutmeg. Finish is long, dry, and satiny with a light toffee flavor. My favorite in an Old Fashioned Cocktail or a Hot Toddy! $29.95-36.95.

Bulleit Rye:Bulleit Rye is an award-winning, straight rye whiskey with a character of unparalleled spice and complexity. Released in 2011, it continues to enjoy recognition as one of the highest quality ryes available. $28.99-35.99.

Bulleit 10 Year Old: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year Old is Tom Bulleit’s selected reserve. Aged in charred American white oak, select Bulleit Bourbon barrels were set aside to age for 10 years. The result is a special expression of Bulleit that provides a rich, deep, incredibly smooth sipping experience. $47.95-51.99.

Cognac & Calvados

Camus VS Elegance Cognac: Bright gold appearance. Floral notes of iris, white flowers and hawthorn in the nose. Some age in French oak barrels with light tannins, the VS Elegance is beautiful with mellowness and remarkable finesse on the palate. $47.95.

Pierre Ferrand Cognac: The 1840 cognac offers ripe, juicy grapes to the nose, accented with meadow flowers, notes of acacia tree blossom and a bracing hint of cedar.
On the palate, it’s warm with fruit notes yet still very clean. The finish shows lots of honey and spice. $39.99.

Boulard V.S.O.P Calvados:Produced from the distillation of apple cider from Normandy, France and then double distilled in a copper pot still, this beautiful spirit is delicious after dinner with some cheeses, toffee, and chocolate. $89.95.

Vodka, Tequila, Pisco, Rum

Alácran Cristal Tequila:Alacran Cristal is an ultra premium anejo tequila, matured for 14 months in American Oak barrels for a rich, woody flavor with a hint of vanilla. The aged tequila is then charcoal filtered for perfect clarity, sophisticated flavor, and smooth texture. Each bottle is hand labeled and numbered. $59.99.

Van Gogh Vodka: The Pineapple is perfect with Prosecco, the PB&J is delicious in a milkshake, and the Pomegranate is great in a cosmopolitan! The array of flavors with this vodka is endless, but all are absolutely wonderful… even flavors like the Dutch Caramel, which I love over ice cream or in caramel sauce! $24.99-31.99.

Pisco Portón: The boldest spirit comes from Peru! Pisco is made from grapes that are not very aromatic, making it perfect in punch, pisco sour’s (a favorite cocktail made with egg whites), and even on it’s own! This is a great gift to give to someone who will enjoy a beautiful bottle and something different for the holidays. $39.95

Botran Reserva Rum: This Solera Reserva by the Botran family in Guatemala is taken to the mountains for aging through American Whisky, Sherry, and Port Barrels! This bold blend of rums selected from 5 years to 14 years creates a complex rum of great depth and richness with striking fruit notes. Enjoy this in cocktails or on it’s own with some dark chocolate! $21.00-25.00.